Commissioner Gary Bettman and Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs spoke to the media after the Board of Governors unanimously approved the new CBA, and both men apologized.

“I’m sorry," Bettman said of the lockout, which was enacted because the owners wanted to pay players less. "I know that an explanation or an apology will not erase the hard feelings.”

He's probably right.

"I read the letters, I followed the tweets. I read the blogs. We have a lot of work to do. ... That effort begins today," Bettman said.

He added that "outreaches, campaigns and efforts" to make good with fans will soon begin.

Jacobs, the chairman of the BOG, a driving force behind the lockout and a reportedly divisive presence in negotiations, was the one saying "hockey is back." That is false, for now; the NHLPA hasn't yet ratified the CBA, though that is overwhelmingly likely to happen on Saturday.

"This great game has been gone for far too long," Jacobs said,

Next up: the players' ratification, a signed memorandum of understanding to play while the document is drafted, the opening of training camps on Jan. 19 and a 48-game schedule beginning on Jan. 19.